Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE BOUGHT
Mateo Santoro arrived at Evelyn Brooks's office that evening.
Audrey was sitting beside the conference table reviewing evidence.
Evelyn stood when he entered.
"Mr. Santoro."
He nodded.
"Ms. Brooks."
Then looked at Audrey.
"Are you all right?"
She considered the question.
"No."
He nodded.
"Fair answer."
Evelyn opened the file.
"We have reason to believe Audrey's credentials were misused."
Mateo studied the documents.
"Do you have the authentication logs?"
Audrey slid them forward.
"Yes."
He read them carefully.
Then looked up.
"These are important."
Audrey folded her arms.
"I know."
A faint smile touched his mouth.
Evelyn continued.
"We're preserving evidence and considering appropriate civil and criminal referrals."
Mateo nodded.
"Good."
Then he turned to Audrey.
"I can arrange a secure apartment."
She shook her head.
"No."
He paused.
"You may be at risk."
"I know."
"Then let me help."
Audrey looked directly at him.
"Mateo, I appreciate what you did at the gala. But I won't trade dependence on my father for dependence on you."
Silence.
Evelyn watched them.
Mateo studied Audrey.
Then nodded.
"You're right."
She blinked.
"I am?"
"Yes."
He sat down.
"What would help?"
Audrey considered.
"Information."
He smiled slightly.
"That I can provide."
"About Northstar."
"Yes."
"About Preston."
"Yes."
"And about why you bought the Gallagher debt."
Mateo's smile disappeared.
For a moment, he looked older.
Then said:
"Because my brother died investigating the same people."
Audrey went still.
"Your brother?"
Mateo nodded.
"Antonio Santoro."
She stared.
She remembered the name.
A financial analyst.
Killed in a supposed boating accident three years earlier.
Mateo continued.
"Antonio discovered a pattern of fraudulent land acquisitions connected to a private banking network."
Audrey leaned forward.
"Preston Hayes?"
Mateo nodded.
"He was one of the names."
She swallowed.
"And your brother died?"
"Before he could testify."
Silence.
Mateo looked at her.
"I bought the Gallagher debt because I believed the missing money was connected to Antonio's investigation."
Audrey stared.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't know whether you were involved."
The honesty hurt.
But she respected it.
"And now?"
Mateo looked at the authentication logs.
"Now I think someone has been using you as cover."
Audrey closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
"Help me prove it."
May you like
Mateo nodded.
"I will."
